HE KNOWS OUR THOUGHTS

 

HE KNOWS OUR THOUGHTS Then a paralytic was brought to Him, carried by four men. Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” At once Jesus knew in His spirit that they were thinking this way within themselves. “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?” He asked. “Which is easier: to say to a paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” And immediately the man got up, picked up his mat, and walked out in front of them all. As a result, they were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”  Mark 2:3-12 Jesus sees into people’s hearts and knows everything about them. He saw faith in the men who brought their friend to be healed. Then He saw into the paralyzed man’s life, recognizing that his greatest need wasn’t healing, but forgiveness of sins. Jesus also knew the secret thoughts of the religious leaders. They reasoned in their hearts, and Jesus knew their thoughts. At another time, Jesus stopped in the middle of a crowded road and looked up at Zaccheus and told him to come down from the tree, because Jesus knew that Zaccheus was ready to change his life and follow the Lord. Knowing that Jesus sees everything should both restrain and encourage us. We can’t hide anything from Him, so we should be careful in how we live. But it should also inspire us, because He knows when we try, even when we fail. He knows when we’re sincere, even when we make mistakes. He knows our heart even when others may criticize and make false assumptions. Jesus knows all the truth about us. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 by J.R. Miller